“Both countries are engaging in climate diplomacy to elevate the voices of the Global South,” writes Izabela Pereira Watts in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cop30-cop31-summits-must-be-display-southern-hemisphere-stewardship

“Deals with Malaysia and Cambodia have drawn criticism for so-called ‘poison pill’ clauses that have been characterised as a loyalty test for aligning with US interests,” writes Amy Chew in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/anwar-s-international-success-sours-home

“Japan views changes in the United States with less anxiety than in Australia,” writes David Vallance in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-japan-ties-are-about-shaping-outcomes-not-hedging-bets

“The thought process that a Modi-Trump meeting would be able to set the clock right has been replaced by avoiding any meeting,” writes Shanthie Mariet D’Souza in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/will-trade-deal-repair-india-us-ties

“Pre-emptively rejecting China’s participation, something already happening, will impede Australia’s critical mineral ambitions,” writes Robert Walker in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/new-permanent-contest-china-over-critical-minerals-will-be-hard-win

“The charge sheet for ‘high treason’ tells of Moscow’s efforts to undermine the Antarctic Treaty System from within” Read Tony Press in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/russia-s-arrest-ukrainian-scientist-brings-chill-geopolitics-antarctic

“If Brazil and Australia position themselves as partners of choice – providing technology, investment, and reliable…” Read Martin Geissdoerfer and Trang Nguyen in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cop30-cop31-will-test-middle-powers-climate-opportunity

“Sex discrimination is one of the stories about military women, but not all,” writes Cate Carter in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/beyond-headlines-risk-stereotyping-women-uniform

“Leaving open the possibility of cooperation with China on terms that uphold African agency and sustainability…” Read Christopher Burke in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-mineral-diplomacy-can-connect-africa-s-resources-asia-s-demand

“Ålanders also see their autonomy and their unique status as an example that can be utilised in other complex states where there is a geographically…” Read Grant Wyeth in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aland-fate-demilitarised-islands-russia-s-doorstep

“A foreign service known for being informal and egalitarian has worked a treat for Canberra’s envoys. But does it reward boldness?” Read Lachlan Strahan in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/art-australia-s-straight-talking-diplomacy

“Long regarded as Abe’s heir apparent, Takaichi’s early priorities have many convinced that Japan is, once again, getting serious about regional balancing challenges…” Read Tom Corben in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/sanae-takaichi-japan-back-back

“As Australia looks across the geopolitical landscape, the trend is clear: states are increasingly willing to use force to achieve their aims,” writes Jennifer Parker in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/beyond-aukus-maritime-strategy-australia-needs

“How Indonesia and Timor-Leste could be so proximate and yet so disconnected reflects a complex history of colonisation and then occupation,” writes Iona Main in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/timor-leste-join-asean-neighbourhood-start-house-next-door

“When powerful fleets operate nearby, a neutral with limited…” Read Pornomo Rovan Astri Yoga , Aloysius Selwas Taborat and Gulardi Nurbintoro in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/repairing-warships-maintaining-neutrality-indonesia-s-legal-balancing-act

“The generals have always shared a number of core beliefs, notably the need for the Tatmadaw to retain effective control over national affairs,” writes Andrew Selth in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/myth-soft-liners-myanmar-s-military-governments

“Indonesia’s posture as a democratic middle power enables it to engage with all partners without losing its direction. Neutrality has never meant silence,” writes Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/indonesia-s-diplomacy-changing-confidence

“Has President Lee Jae Myung engineered a situation in which the United States cannot afford to break its promise?,” writes Seong-Hyon Lee in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/logic-behind-south-korea-s-nuclear-submarine-deal

“Australian sporting heroes, culture, coaches, footy clubs and programs are trusted in ways embassies and defence attachés simply are not,” writes David Peedom in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pacific-olympics-legacy-australia-needs-build-brisbane-2032

“Resilience diplomacy plays to the strengths of middle powers. It builds influence through trust, not dominance,” writes Shameek Godara in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/resilience-diplomacy-quiet-contest-shaping-indo-pacific

“Each FONOP and joint military drill reinforces Beijing’s concern about territorial containment, while strengthening Manila’s resolve…” Read Sophie Wushuang Yi in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/high-waters-deep-divisions-views-south-china-sea

“Not every country in the region has the same opportunity as Solomon Islands to establish a military if they so desire. Some simply…” Read Blake Johnson in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/solomon-islands-can-have-military-it-shouldn-t-need-one

“Hosting would require the government to think and act globally, which is not necessarily the default in Canberra as focus has been drawn closer to Australian shores,” writes David Dutton in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/crunch-time-australia-cop31

“Research has already identified 60 high-risk wrecks in dire need of action to prevent ecological disaster,” writes Sheridan Ward in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/sunken-ships-rising-risks-pacific-shipwrecks-maritime-security

“More than seven million Sudanese have been displaced and generals continue to argue ‘dignity’ and ‘sovereignty’ on government television, as…” Read Matteo Boccia in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/another-quad-plan-brings-sudan-no-closer-peace

“We must face hard truths. Of the top ten UN donors, we expect to see decreased contributions from six,” writes Penny Wong in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/confronting-danger-zombie-united-nations

“A little bit of artistic license is forgivable of course to raise popular awareness about the dangers of war, especially nuclear war,” writes Thomas Wright in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/dynamite-film-house-cards-nuclear-reality

“ASEAN offers access to markets, but Timor-Leste must do its homework to remain competitive,” writes Guteriano Neves in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/timor-s-asean-accession-what-next

“The frame of reference for Western instructors is often Iraq and Afghanistan, which does not provide the foundational behaviours required for combat in eastern Ukraine,” writes Mick Ryan in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/military-training-lessons-ukraine

“If Chinese content within goods is targeted, rather than real transshipment, this would pose major difficulties for producers,” writes Robert Walker in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/asean-s-dealmaking-trump-shows-promise

“In recent months, both sides have unveiled more confidence-building measures,” writes Shanthie D’Souza in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-china-detente-real

“Satellites cannot always distinguish between legal and illegal deforestation, much less detect degradation that does not result in total forest cover loss,” writes Mohd. Yunus in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/indonesia-values-forests-can-it-fund-trees

“More US military investment in Asia has escalated tensions and isn’t necessary for US or allied interests” Read Jennifer Kavanagh in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/america-shouldn-t-pivot-asia

“It can be commonplace to see domestic politics stopping at the water’s edge of international engagement,” writes Elliot Stein in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/shock-normal-australia-s-progressive-patriotism

“The resilience of communities, infrastructure and ecosystems will increasingly depend on the data and information collected by local teams,” writes Jack Whelan in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pacific-development-essential-local-ingredient-sustainability

“Myanmar as it stands is a huge destabilising factor in Southeast Asia,” writes Amy Chew in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/sham-election-offers-no-end-myanmar-s-suffering

“There is little certainty regarding Bougainville’s future, with growing concern about potential tensions that may arise should…” Read Kevin Pullen in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/bougainville-s-independence-deadline-exposes-peace-agreement-gaps

“Despite their admirable goodwill, much potential celebrity influence is yet to be fully harnessed at a policy level,” writes Adil Cader in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/star-power-soft-power-australia-s-celebrity-diplomacy

“ A lot would have to go wrong for the negatives to outweigh the positives,” writes Susannah Patton in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/asean-summits-2025-trump-centrality

“As Japan becomes more security-conscious under Takaichi, India’s emphasis on inclusive regionalism could serve as a useful complement,” writes Sanchari Ghosh in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/japan-s-hawkish-turn-under-takaichi-tests-india-s-balancing-act

“After decades of tension, pragmatic cooperation on energy resources offers a path forward in contested waters” Read Muhammad Farhan Yaumil Ramadhan in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/malaysia-indonesia-can-turn-border-dispute-opportunity

“Involving the United Nations, hobbled by limited enforcement capacities and Security Council vetoes, could create more problems than…” Read Mark Pierce in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/partition-trap-awaiting-ukraine-s-territorial-settlement

“The new US approach to mining exploitation in the deep seabed has initiated a profound geopolitical and…” Read Bruno Arpi and Donald R Rothwell in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/critical-minerals-us-bid-bypass-international-rules-deep-sea-mining

“Seoul is ramping up investment in high-tech weapons, reflecting its elevated position among the most innovative economies,” writes Nika Pasko in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/south-korea-track-become-defence-powerhouse

“Partners struggle to read Jakarta’s intentions because they depend on the president’s shifting calculus rather…” Read Virdika Rizky Utama in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/prabowo-s-first-year-visibility-without-vision-indonesian-foreign-policy

“The blind spots are telling … the two national action plans have faced persistent criticism for weak…” Read Jennifer Wittwer and Katrina Lee-Koo in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-treats-gender-equality-foreign-policy-tool-not-principle

“The biotech and medical research sectors rely heavily on H-1B talent,” writes Aarti Betigeri in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/us-foreign-worker-visas-where-there-s-crisis-there-s-opportunity

“To the Canberra hive mind, apologising for 1975 would also imply direct criticism of Indonesia,” writes Gordon Peake in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/apology-australia-owes-timor-leste-won-t-deliver

“Kim Jong-un will have enjoyed being treated as an equal in the photographs alongside Russian President Vladimir…” Read Brian Bridges in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/handshake-can-only-reach-so-far-even-mending-ties-between-north-korea-malaysia

“The expansion of the European Union and NATO, the resurgence of Russia, and the rise of China have all revived old civilisational and…” Read Abhinandan Kumar in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/geopolitics-making-sense-news-north-east-west-south